More candidates have been officially certified to appear on the Nov. 3 Watertown Town Election ballot, and there will be a preliminary election this fall.
Here is what the ballot would look like if the election was Wednesday, as of noon. (I = incumbent).
Town Council President
- Mark Sideris (I)
Town Councilor At Large (Four Seats)
- Patryce Gergopoulos
- Michael Dattoli
- Aaron Dushku (I)
- Susan Falkoff (I)
- Tony Palomba (I)
District A Councilor
- Angeline Kounelis (I)
- Bob Erickson
District B Councilor
- Kevin McDonald
- Lisa Feltner
- Patricia Van Dinter
District C Councilor
- Vincent Piccirilli (I)
District D Councilor
- Kenneth Woodland (I)
- Bob McCarthy
School Committee (Three Seats)
- Eileen Hsu-Balzer (I)
- Candace Miller
- Kendra Foley
Library Trustee (Three Seats)
- Michael Hanlon (I)
- Sheppard Ferguson
A number of incumbents have taken out papers to run, but have yet to get their signatures certified. The list includes Town Councilor At Large Steve Corbett, District B Councilor Cecilia Lenk, School Committee members Michael Shepard and Julie McMahon, and Library Trustee Timothy Tracy.
Other challengers may still enter the race. The list of people who have taken out papers but have yet to submit signatures includes:
- Clyde Younger for Council President
- Philip DeVincentis for Councilor At Large
- Rossella Mercuri for District C Councilor
- Mark Pettiglio for District D Councilor
- Penelope Peoples and Karen Roubicek for Library Trustee
A preliminary election is held when the number of candidates is at least one more than double the number of seats up for election. So, with three candidates already running and the incumbent likely to join, there will be a preliminary election for the District B Council seat.
Candidates must collect 100 signatures from registered voters, and district councilors must get signatures from residents of their district. They have until July 28 to submit their 100 signatures, and the Town Clerk has more than a week to certify them.
Hi Charlie,
Given the number of candidates running, will there be public forums/debates to discuss the issues? I can see the need for the following forums: School Committee; Library Trustees; the initial runoff for District B; all four District races; the Councilor at Large race; and Town Council President. Who would be in charge of coordinating these events?
Election season will be upon us before we know it. We all need to be well-informed about the issues facing our Town and the various candidate positions. Thanks.
Hi Elodia, The League of Women Voters have a forum with all the candidates. Perhaps the PTO or Watertown Residents for Strong Schools could have a School Committee forum.
I am not sure about a forum for the preliminary election.